which is good, but she could
have one in the future.
Thank you for checking up on us.
I didn’t text a lot, so it took a while to tap out a reply.
Malachi:
Of course. How are you holding up?
I made to put my phone back in my shirt pocket, but an undulating ellipsis below my message stopped me.
Jocelyn:
Honestly, I could use a distraction.
A distraction. I looked around, trying to find inspiration in something that could serve as an entertaining diversion. Unfortunately, the implements lining the bay—the auger, brush hog, landscape rake, and baler—didn’t offer themselves up as helpful muses.
Scout raised his head from his front paws and stared at me. He’d been pitiful ever since Jocelyn had left, moping around like a lovesick pup who’d had his heart shattered. He looked up with sad blue eyes then laid his chin on his paws again. I opened my camera app and snapped a picture before dropping it into the text thread.
Malachi:
I’m finding this guy
very distracting lately.
Jocelyn:
The poor thing!
What’s wrong with him?
Well, shoot. I hadn’t thought this through. If I told her he’d been sulking since she left, that’d only make her feel worse, not better. Wasn’t communicating through texts supposed to be easier? How had I managed to bumble it already?
Malachi:
He’ll be fine.
Just misses you.
Jocelyn:
Aww, really? That’s so sweet.
I miss him too.
Phew. She didn’t sound upset at all.
Jocelyn:
Will you give him a kiss for me?
I eyed Scout. There were very few things I loved more than my dog and my horses, but that didn’t mean I went around puckering up for them.
Jocelyn:
BRB. The doctor just came in.
